Chapter 10
Disclaimer: JKR's Characters and settings: My Ideas (Sort of): Your time: Thanks for reading
Harry spent the afternoon leading up to the task in Hermione's arms. They were hidden away in Harry's dorm. The two young lovers shared kisses and caresses as they went further than they had ever gone before. Their robes lay in a tangled mess on the floor beside Harry's bed. Hermione was only wearing her knickers while Harry was left in only his boxers. Harry was kissing the sensative spot on the nape of Hermione's neck that he knew drove her wild. His need to be one with her was overwhelming. He looked deep into her brown eyes. "Hermione, make love to me!"
Hermione desperately wanted to give in to Harry's request. The word yes was on the tip of her tongue. Somewhere in the back of her mind she heard a small voice say 'not like this.'
Harry moaned desperately into her neck, "Please Hermione, I need you so much."
The voice in the back of Hermione's mind became stronger, clearer, and more insistent. She thought to herself 'I can't give myself to him yet. I'm not ready.' Finally she spoke, "Uhm Harry, I'm sorry I can't" Harry reluctantly rolled off of her. She saw the hurt and disappointment in his face. She tried desperately to make him understand what she was feeling. She took Harry's hand and placed it over her heart. He felt it hammering in her chest. "Harry, I love you with all my heart. I want to make love to you too, but not like this. Not when our future is so unsure. When you come back to me, when this is over we will have all the time in the world. Please don't hate me Harry. I'm just not ready for this step in our relationship. I think that you know deep down that you know you're not ready either.
Harry put his arm around Hermione and placed his hand over her heart again. With his other hand he pulled Hermione's head over his chest so that her ear was directly above his heart. She heard its steady rhythm beating away. "Hermione, I could never hate you. Not now, not ever. I'm sorry that I tried to push you beyond what you're ready for. Words can't do justice to the love I feel for you."
"Harry, you don't ever have to apologize to me for this. I was a willing participant too. I think that we just got carried away. Harry we will both remember the day we make love for the rest of our lives. I don't want to remember the day that I made love to you was also the day I lost you forever."
Harry left for the boys' bathroom to take a cold shower. Hermione quickly got dressed and went up to her dorm to take a take a cold shower as well. They met in the common room and sat in their favourite arm chair and cuddled together until supper time.
They both struggled to eat their supper as neither Harry nor Hermione had much of an appetite. Harry received many well wishers from the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables.
After dinner, Harry and Hermione made their way out to the maze. Hermione hugged Harry tightly to her chest and kissed him deeply. She put his hand on her heart again and looked into his green eyes. "Promise that you will come back to me Harry"
Harry kissed Hermione's brow. "I promise Hermione. There is no way in Hell that I'll let that snake take me away from you"
Hermione spotted Katie and Ron waiting for her a discreet distance away. Before she got to them she turned around and shouted, "I love you Harry Potter!" She then ran into his arms and kissed him one more time.
She then walked back to Katie and Ron unable to hide the tears that were leaking from her eyes. Katie and Ron pulled Hermione into a warm hug. "Katie whispered Into Hermione's ear, don't worry he'll be alright."
Hermione looked both Katie and Ron in the eye," I know he'll be alright. Harry promised that he would come back to me."
Ron smiled at her; "Of course Harry will come back to you. He never breaks his promises and his most important promise is that ring on your finger."
Katie and Ron walked Hermione up to the stands where she was hugged by Luna and all of the Weasleys'
Ron was sitting between Katie and his mother. He was worried about Harry, but he was also thinking about making a promise of his own. He fingered the promise ring that was in the pocket of his robes. He looked at his mother whose face was creased with worry and then at Katie who was also worried for their friend. He thought to himself it's time to live in the present and not worry about what others think. He took a breath, 'Okay Ron you can do this.' He turned to Katie and looked into her grey eyes. He took the ring from his pocket and thought of the girl who had made him happier than he had ever thought possible. "Miss Katie Bell, I love you! Will you take my promise ring?"
A smiling Katie held her hand out to Ron so he could he place the silver ring with a ruby stone on Katie's finger. "Oh Ron, I love you too."
The lines of worry evaporated from Molly Weasley's face as she hugged her youngest son and his girlfriend Katie.
At twilight the final task started. Professor McGonagall gave the four champions their final instructions. Cedric and Harry had the most points in the championship so they entered the maze first. The two Hogwarts champions waited just inside the maze for Viktor and Fleur to catch up to them. In an unprecedented display of international magical cooperation, the four champions worked together to make their way through the maze.
Each champion had their individual strengths, but together they were an unbeatable team. Fleur seemed to have an intuitive understanding of the magical creatures that they encountered. Cedric was a master at dispelling enchantments and charms. Viktor was able to use logic and remain calm no matter what was coming at him. Harry showed his courage, daring and aptitude for Defence against the Dark Arts.
The first obstacle that the group met was a boggart in the form of a dementor, it was Harry that first sent his stag patronus charm at the fake dementor. When that didn't work he realized what he was facing and banished the boggart with a loud "Riddikulus." The group carried on looking for the next obstacle.
The next obstacle that the group faced was an enchanted silvery mist. Cedric grinned as he stepped into the mist and his world turned upside down. He took a confident step forward and everything returned to normal. He explained the obstacle to the other champions. They quickly got past that obstacle.
It was 5 minutes and two right turns later that they met one of Hagrid's blast-ended skrewts. Fleur's brilliant use of a well placed tickling charm held the extremely large blast ended skrewt in check while the champions passed unharmed.
Viktor Krum solved the sphinx's riddle quickly and allowed the 4 champions to take a short cut to the cup.
Fleur took the lead again when the champions faced the acromantula and had the 4 champions direct stunning spells at precisely the same spot on the underside of the super sized spider. It fell to the ground with its eight legs sticking in the air.
The 4 champions worked seamlessly until at last they stood in front of the cup. Cedric spoke up, "Harry I know that we agreed to call the contest a draw and let you take this cup. We can't let you do it Harry. We've gotten this far together, so let's finish this together." Viktor and Fleur shouted there agreement with Cedric.
"Please, you three can't do this. You heard Dumbledore. If anyone other than me shows up Voldemort will kill them without blinking an eye. I can't live with that on my conscience. This isn't your fight, it's mine. It always has been my fight."
Tears flowed freely from the eyes of Harry's competitors. Viktor shook his hand, "vhen you return ve vill fly togetter, yes?"
"I'd like that Viktor"
Cedric took his turn to shake Harry's hand. "You don't mind if I join the two of you. It would be nice to fly with you instead of against you."
Fleur kissed each of Harry's cheeks twice. "Au revoir 'Arry Potter. I would also like ze opportunity to fly wiz you". Harry's skin burned where Fleur had kissed him
Just as harry was about to touch the port key, Cedric made a lunge to touch the cup as well. It was only a sure tackle by Viktor Krum that saved Cedric's life. Krum then had to restrain him until Harry touched the port key.
Harry took one last look at his three friends, touched the port key and disappeared from site.
The three champions sent up a shower of sparks from the center of the maze. Hagrid escorted then from the maze. Professor Snaoe and Professor disarmed and stunned Barty Crouch. Albus Dumbledore and a group of ten order members and aurors touched their hand to another port key and landed silently in the grave yard on the other side of a small hill, about 150 metres from where Harry was tied to a headstone.
A disillusioned auror gave them from the advance team gave them a quick signal to proceed into position.
Seconds after Dumbledore had landed in the grave yard, Fawkes arrived carrying the sword of Gryffindor
Peter Pettigrew was too busy adding the final ingredients to the potion that would revive his master to notice the large force of wizards and witches surrounding Harry and himself.
Nagini snuck up behind Harry and watched the cauldron intently, waiting for her master to rise.
When Harry arrived he quickly felt for Ron's wand that was hidden in a secret pocket of his robes. Wormtail disarmed him and tied him to the headstone of Tom Riddle. Peter pointed his wand at the giant pile of wood. A fire stared under the largest cauldron he had ever seen. He took the cloak off the baby like thing he had been carrying. Wormtail wore a look of disgust as he placed the ugly creature in the cauldron. I hope that it drowns thought Harry. Pettigrew had placed bones from the grave of Tom Riddle sr. into the cauldron. He continued to chant as he chopped of his right hand. Finally he took a vial of Harry's blood to add to the potion.
Harry looked on in horror as Voldemort rose from the depths of the cauldron. Voldemort was clothed by Pettigrew. "Well Harry Potter I Am pleased that you could make it to our little party. I might go so far as to call you the guest of honour as our little party would not have taken place without you." Voldemort then pressed his thumb onto the dark mark on Peter's left arm. Peter howled in agony. Riddle went into the rant about what had happened to him, how he and his death eaters would rule the world and put the mugles in their place.
After tormenting the death eaters who would not go to prison for him he promptly forgave all of his followers in a god-like manner.
He promised to feed Harry to Nagini after he had finished playing with her food for a while first. Harry was untied, given his wand back and told to defend himself. It was while being subjected to the cruciatus curse that Harry lost his wand. He hid behind a tombstone so that he could retrieve the wand that he had won form Ron earlier in the day. Harry made the choice to duel Voldemort rather than wait for death to take him.
Harry thought about Hermione and all the love that they had shared since that Christmas. He knew in his heart that after tonight he may never see her again.
Voldemort only had eyes for Harry as the two circled each other. While taunting Harry with the promise of a slow painful death that he never noticed that a group of disillusioned aurors and order members silently slid up behind his death eaters, and one by one they disarmed the death eaters and silently left by way of ultra quiet port keys for specially warded holding cells in the ministry.
There were now only five living beings left in the cemetery: Dumbledore, Harry, Voldemort, Nagini and Fawkes who was orbiting above the two combatants.
Albus Dumbledore silently cancelled his disillusionment charm and shouted at Voldemort. "It's over Tom." He threw the destroyed horcruxes at Voldemort's feet.
"No" Voldemort screamed into the night. He commanded Nagini to attack his former transfiguration teacher.
Albus Dumbledore nimbly removed the sword from his belt and held it out right as Nagini rose to strike Dumbledore. The huge snake impaled itself mouth first onto the sword. The blood covered tip protruded from top of Nagin's head.
A furious dark lord hurled a bludgeoning hex at the ancient headmaster before Albus could reach his wand and erect a shield. The curse hit Dumbledore square in the chest. He flew backwards into a headstone and collapsed heavily.
With blood dribbling form his mouth, Dumbledore looked at Harry and whispered, "Run! Harry Run!" he then passed out. Fawkes landed on the Headmaster's lap and began to sing a mournful song.
A million emotions flooded Harry at once. From some source Harry could not identify he felt an overwhelming feeling of love and righteous anger.
Voldemort sneered at him, "Yes, run away Harry Potter. Save yourself whole you still can. Sorry you're too late."
Harry faced Tom Riddle. His eyes were a glowing green. Sparks of lightning were bursting from his wand.
"No Tom, this ends here and now. You will never hurt another person."
"What? The immortal Lord Voldemort will never be afraid of a child like you! You must think that you possess magic stronger than mine. Magic that I don't know about."
"I don't think that Tom, I know it!" There was a momentary look of confusion that crossed Voldemort's face. "Would you like t know the prophecy that you foolishly acted on all those years ago, before you die?" Harry recited the prophecy word for word.
Neither wizard noticed Arthur Weasley apparate next to the grave stone that Harry was initially tied to. He immediately went to check on Dumbledore and begin to minister to his wounds.
"Neither can survive while the other lives Tom! If you think that you can kill me then take your best shot."
Red eyes stared into green Voldemort shouted the curse that had ended so many lives into the night. "Avada Kedavra!"
At that exact moment Harry shouted "Stupefy!"
The two spells collided in mid air. Voldemort's spell rebounded and struck him in the chest. The most evil Dark Lord in over a century was dead at Harry's feet.
Harry fell to his knees as a massive sense of relief flooded him. He thought of Hermione and felt her love warming his body.
Arthur Weasley ran to Harry and hugged him tightly. "Well done Harry, you've done the wizarding world a great service today."
"Is Professor Dumbledore going to be alright Mr. Weasley?"
"I won't lie to you Harry. He needs medical attention but I think he will live."
Arthur gathered up Harry's lost wand and Voldemort's wand and gave them to Harry. Harry took Voldemort's wand and snapped it in two and threw the pieces into a nearby river that flowed through the valley.
"Harry use Fawkes to take Dumbledore back to Hogwarts. I'll port key Riddle's body to the ministry for disposal."
Harry grabbed Fawkes' tail feather in one hand and held onto Dumbledore with the other. In an instant Fawkes had transported Harry and the Headmaster back to Hogwarts.
Hermione was the first to see them return. She ran straight at Harry and jumped into his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist as she kissed him in front of everyone gathered for the third task. Professor Dumbledore was immediately taken to the hospital wing by Poppy Pomfrey.
Once Harry put Hermione down he was engulfed in the largest group hug in the history of Hogwarts. First the other three champions joined then the Weasleys, then the Professors including Professor Snape and then all of the students.
Through all the hugs, pats on the back and congratulations, Harry Potter only had eyes for his Hermione. He clung to her the entire time he was trying to make his way to the hospital wing. When Harry and Hermione finally arrived in the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey checked him over and healed the cut on his arm.
Albus Dumbledore was resting quietly in a bed across from Harry was resting. Several of the professors were gathered around him. "Madam Pomfrey Is the headmaster going to be alright?" Harry asked.
"Yes dear. He will probably need to rest for several weeks, but he will probably wake up in a day or two."
Professor McGonagall entered the hospital wing with Minister Bones who wanted to interview Harry. "No offense Minister Bones, but is it possible to give you my memories of tonight and you can look at them on your own. I'm extremely tired at the moment."
"Of course Harry, but I would like to let you know that Peter Pettigrew was captured last night and as of right now your Godfather is a free man." Professor McGonagall helped Harry withdraw the memory and handed it to Madam Bones.
"Harry this place is going to be a madhouse tonight. How would you like Fawkes to take you and Hermione to the Grangers tonight? We will send someone to pick you up in the morning for the trophy presentation."
Harry looked at Hermione who smiled brightly back at him. Hermione put her around Harry's neck and started to kiss him. Harry Grabbed onto Fawkes' tail feather with one hand and Hermione's bum with his other – Fawkes took them to the Granger's backyard. Harry let go of Fawkes tail and wound his other hand through Hermione's hair.
That is exactly the position that Helen, Richard and Sirius found them in. After several minutes, Helen cleared her throat, "Pardon me for interrupting Harry, but I think Hermione needs to breathe."
The two teens blushed scarlet as Sirius laughed, "Nice technique pup!"
Richard glared at Sirius "Please don't encourage them."
Helen chose to intervene at that time. "Richard, Harry just helped to destroy this lord of the inbreds person. I think that we can cut them some slack this one time."
Hermione seemed to get over her embarrassment as she asked, "So Mum and Dad which country are we moving to?"
Helen answered, "Well after looking over brochures for magical schools we've decided to move to the home in Wellington. The Silver Fern Academy of Magic is supposed to be the very best and most progressive school in the Southern Hemisphere. The school even allows day students. So we won't have to send our daughter away for ten months a year. What do you think Harry?"
"I think it's brilliant as long as I can play quidditch."
Everyone decided it was time to go to bed. Hermione gave Harry a very chaste kiss on the lips, mainly because her father was watching, before they went to their own bedrooms.
The next morning Hermione got up early and was surprised to see her mother waiting for her in the kitchen. "I promised your father I would talk to you about your relationship with Harry. He was concerned about the passionate kiss that you shared with Harry when you got home."
Hermione blushed crimson and took a drink from the mug of tea that her mother had handed her. "Would you prefer to talk to your father about it or worse yet have your father talk to Harry about it?"
Hermione swallowed hard, "I think that I'll talk to you Mum."
"That's a wise decision Hermione. So let's cut to the chase shall we. Have you slept with Harry yet?"
"No Mum I haven't. Yesterday we came close to sleeping together. I was down to my knickers when Harry asked me. Mum I wanted to, but I said no and Harry stopped right away. We had never gone that far before. I think both of us were worried about his facing Voldemort last night. Harry was alright when I told him that I didn't want my first time to be on the same day he was taken from me."
"I believe you honey. Just make sure that you don't get that carried away around your father or me again. It's kind of unsettling to see your only daughter kiss someone like that."
"Alright Mum, We won't let you catch us kissing like that again –for the time being. Once I'm Mrs Potter the deal's off."
"I think that your father and I can live with that for now."
At 10:30 in the morning a smiling Professor McGonagall knocked on the Grangers' door. Harry, Hermione and Sirius were all dressed in their finest robes and waiting in the kitchen.
Ron Weasley got to sleep at about three in the morning. His usual dreams of Katie Bell were interrupted by Lilly Potter. "I want to thank you Ron. You helped to save a great many people. I'm glad that you got together with Katie. She's an amazing young woman and Katie has helped you grow as a person. I would like to give you one piece of advice Ron. "Don't screw this up! You and Katie are meant for each other. I'm going to wipe the previous timeline from your memory now. "The only thing that you will remember is that Katie is for you and you are for Katie. Good bye Ron Weasley."
At 11:00 in the morning the contest was officially called a draw. The 4 Champions were all awarded their prizes. Harry promptly gave his winnings to Fred and George.
After the award ceremony Harry was awarded the Order of Merlin First Class. He asked Professor McGonagall to place it in the trophy case in memory of his time at Hogwarts.
Just before lunch Hermione and Harry pulled Ron aside to tell them their plans and give Ron his wand back and the Marauders' map. Harry spoke up, "Well Ron we would like to tell you that we're leaving England next week. Sirius, the Grangers and I are moving to New Zealand. I want to try and find out what it's like to have a normal life."
"Good on ya mate." Ron smiled. "As much as I'm going to miss the two of you I think that you're doing the right thing. Take care of each other and be happy." The golden trio walked into the great hall together and joined Katie and Sirius who were having a spirited discussion about quidditch.
After Lunch, Harry and Hermione met with Fleur, Cedric, and Victor to go flying. Victor lent Hermione his back up broom – a shiny Nimbus 2001. Fleur and Cedric were also riding the same make of broom as Hermione. Hermione was a little uncomfortable at first. Once she got used to the broom and how well it handled she had a blast, as did the 4 champions. Viktor and Harry put on a display of aerial acrobatics that will be talked about would be talked about for generations.
At 3:00 Harry & Hermione met with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey in the hospital wing." Harry my boy, congratulations on your rather splendid achievement."
"Thank you sir." smiled Harry.
"For some strange reason Minerva seems to be under the impression that the two of you will not be returning to Hogwarts next year. Is that true?"
"Yes Professor. Sirius, Harry and my family are all moving to Wellington next week. We think that the only chance that Harry will have for a normal life is to leave the country."
"That is quite understandable. We will miss you two. I think Madam Pomfrey will be lonely without your frequent stays in the hospital wing Harry. Everyone had a good laugh at that.
Professor McGonagall wiped the tears from her eyes as she hugged her two favourite students. "You two will remember to write won't you?"
"Of course Professor." smiled a teary eyed Hermione.
That night at supper Professor McGonagall announced to the school that Harry and Hermione were leaving. Molly Weasley made them promise to show up for a farewell party at the Burrow.
The most surprising farewell of the night was when Professor Snape came to say good bye.
"Well Potter and Granger I guess this is good bye then. Believe it or not I'm going to miss you two. Harry you may look like your father, but you have your mother's heart. Have a good life." He shook Harry's hand and hugged Hermione.
The party at the Burrow was amazing. They shared laughter with all of their friends and teachers from Hogwarts. The Night was Capped off by an amazing fireworks display put on by Fred and George Weasley.
Sirius shrank the Grangers belongings so that they would fit inside a shoe box. At 11:00 the Grangers, Sirius and Harry took an international port key to Wellington.
Christmas day, 1997
Harry Potter proposed to Hermione Granger on a quiet beach on the North Island.
It was a warm summer night, the moon was full Harry and Hermione were walking along the quiet beach. They were not more than a kilometre from the beach house that they had rented. Suddenly, Harry got down on knee in front of Hermione. As soon as Hermione saw Harry kneel down she knew what was coming. Tears of Happiness filled her Eyes as she fanned her face rapidly with her hands. "Hermione you are my everything. I love you with all that I am. Hermione Jane Granger, will you marry me?" Hermione was speechless. It was all she could do to nod her yes. She let Harry place the diamond engagement ring on her finger.
That night Harry and Hermione made love for the very first time. Lying on that quiet beach with Hermione as the sun rose. Harry thought "I guess Hermione was right. We will remember this night forever"
September 30 1998
Ron Weasley and Katie Bell were relaxing in their London flat after a hard day of quidditch practice. Ron was now the keeper for Chudley's reserve team while Katie Bell had recently been promoted to starting chaser. They were living their dream – playing professional quidditch for the Chudley Cannons. An exotic looking bird tapped against the window. Tied to its leg was an invitation to the wedding Hermione Jane Granger and Harry James Potter on Christmas day.
Ron smiled to himself. He had been waiting for this invitation for some time now. "Katie do you know what would be better than going to a wedding on Christmas day?"
" What?"
Ron got onto one knee in front of Katie and looked into her eyes "How about getting married on Christmas day? Miss Katie Bell you amaze me. Every day I think that I can't love you any more than I do now. Every day you prove me wrong. Will you marry me?"
"Yes"
Christmas day 1998
There was a beautiful double wedding in the back yard of Sirius Black's Wellington mansion. It was celebrated by friends and family. Everybody had an amazing time.
August 13th 2002.
Quidditch World Cup top Box Somewhere in Northern England
Ireland vs New Zealand
"Where are they Katie? I can't see them anywhere."
"Relax Ron, they'll be here. Can you hold Peter for a second?"
Ron smiled at his year old son who had the Weasley red hair and his wife's beautiful grey eyes.
It was a very pregnant Hermione Potter who sat down beside Ron. "Sorry I'm late, climbing those stairs was murder."
"Where's Harry, he's going to miss the match if he doesn't hurray"
"Don't worry Ron Harry wouldn't miss this for the world." laughed Hermione.
Lee Jordan introduced both nations' mascots. Ireland had again brought leprechauns. New Zealand brought a group of Maori warriors who performed the Hakka.
"Where's Harry? The games about to start."
Deep under the stadium in the New Zealand Locker room sat seven black robed quidditch players and their coach Wayne Sheltford.
"We have proven over and over again that we are the best Quidditch team in the world. As a team we will handle any adversity that comes are way. We will reload and we will answer. We have beaten this team the last two times that we have faced them. We're playing in the World Cup final in front of 100 000 screaming fans. Men we've got them right where we want them." The team mounted their brooms and blasted out of the locker room.
Back up in the stands Hermione took of her outer robe and sat it on Harry's seat. She was wearing a New Zealand qudditch jersey underneath.
Lee Jordan announced the Irish team and then the New Zealand team. When he came to the last name on the New Zealand roster he did a double take. "Ladies and Gentlemen I give you Potter."